Chemical Labeling and SDS Requirements in Canada
Canada regulates workplace hazardous products through the Hazardous Products Act, the Hazardous Products Regulations and WHMIS, with federal supplier obligations and provincial, territorial and federal workplace implementation. The Hazardous Products Regulations have been amended to align with updated GHS provisions; as of June 22, 2026, suppliers should be using the amended WHMIS requirements rather than relying on the former transition period.
SDS Requirements
Suppliers of hazardous products sold, imported or distributed for workplace use in Canada must provide Safety Data Sheets under WHMIS/HPR. SDSs must be available in both English and French, follow the required 16-section format, disclose required hazard, ingredient, toxicological and precautionary information, and be updated when significant new data becomes available. Employers must ensure current SDSs are readily available to workers.
Consumer Label Requirements
Consumer chemical products are generally outside WHMIS supplier labelling unless supplied for workplace use. Retail consumer chemical labels may be regulated under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001, as well as product-specific regimes such as pest control products, cosmetics, drugs, natural health products, fertilizers or transport of dangerous goods. Consumer labels should be assessed under the product-specific federal rules, not simply copied from a WHMIS workplace label.
Workplace Label Requirements
WHMIS requires supplier labels for hazardous products and workplace labels when products are produced in the workplace, transferred to secondary containers, or when a supplier label becomes lost or illegible. Supplier labels generally require product identifier, supplier identifier, pictograms, signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements and supplemental information where required, in English and French. Workplace labels require enough information for safe use and a reference to the SDS.
Need Help with Compliance?
Nexreg assists manufacturers, importers, and distributors with Canada SDS authoring, chemical classification, workplace labeling, consumer labeling, and regulatory compliance. Our regulatory specialists can help simplify market access and keep hazard communication documents aligned with applicable requirements.